The day with dianne Louise

For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:5 HCSB Sorry folks! We do suffer! For the sufferings of Christ overflows to us. Becoming a Christian is not the membership to a club of easy living, it is a life of 'the cross.' However, even though we do suffer we are comforted. He is there for us. No matter what we go through, He is there. If we stop resenting our circumstances but rather let go of our expectations, we find Him there, Lord and master of all. Trust Him! Amen! As I embrace the cross I find life. Let go of demands for freedom from suffering and see what God can do. He is sooo good! Amen!

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4 HCSB Many suffer in many different ways: some suffer physically, some mentally, some financially, some relationally. Yet all have One thing in common- a redeemer in Christ, a very present help in times of trouble. As each of us finds Him we find our hope, our deliverer, our saviour. In laying down expectations of how things should be, we find the hope before us that takes us into new pastures. Laying Down self-pity, self-blame and recrimination is a must before we can embrace hope. Self cannot dwell with hope. Hope is pure and undefiled. Amen! Suffering without a hope is hell. We are not in hell, we have a hope in Christ. Paul suffered greatly in preaching Christ but he had hope in Christ. W...

This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16 HCSB What does laying down my life look like? Well.... is my brother in anguish of soul? What can I do that will be more than a quick fix? You mean commitment to friendship, perseverance, endurance? Yes! Something like that! People who have been through or who are going through divorce or separation, losing home and kids, suffer in ways that takes time, sometimes a lot of time, to heal. Grief is not an instant fix! Why can't folks step out in faith and trust God to fix it all? Pain! Lots of pain! Moving on does not fix things, it veneers things. Behind the veneer is a crumbling, rotten wall that needs a major overhaul. If I have a leaking shower and continue to ignore it, eventually the walls and floors rot away and if it is a second storey it can collapse through the roof of the ground floor. Insisting folks veneer their pain is asking for ...

This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need — how can God’s love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. 1 John 3:16‭-‬18 HCSB How can we walk by our brothers and sisters and not care about their plight? Easy! Be consumed with our own worlds. I am convicted about someone I know who is struggling. Most of this man's struggle is due to him going through divorce. Like me he has lost everyone and everything He previously held dear. I think his struggle is trying to hang on to a part of what was. This is particularly hard when the biggest struggle is relationship with children. This man had told me his lack and I have, to date, done nothing, well not quite true. I have not given him a meal, which I can do. However, I have given him compassion and an ear.T...

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3 HCSB God's heart has always been to be with His people. Now, through Christ, He will have a people washed by the blood of the lamb and He can dwell with them for eternity. In ours hearts, each of has a longing for relationship. The best relationship possible is with our God. For with Him we are complete. No more longing. Always there! Praise Him! My greatest longing is for my family, apart from Him, who is my Father. I can imagine His longing for us. God is all about family: His family. It does not look like what we consider it should look like. We will be surprised. I think He can handle punk rockers as well as gentle elderly and squealing babies. We have a future and a hope. The entrance is through the cross. Today I gave a Muslim woman a copy of The Passion and said:...

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. Revelation 21:3‭-‬4 HCSB It is hard to imagine no more grief, crying and pain, but this is what heaven offers. Along with the presence of God and tremendous security and beauty. God's greatest desire is to be with His people and their greatest longing is to be with Him. We don't always recognise the true state of our need but the depth of our longing is to know Him and be known by Him. The stones in the heavenly construct defies all the weath of our current world. Years ago when I was in England I went to see all the crown jewels. Some of the diamonds were breathtaking. Yet the imagine of the New Heaven is above and beyon...

But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:4‭-‬5 HCSB Today at church some friends and I got to talking about what we will wear in heaven. Having the imagination I jave I said:" just think, as we walk out the door we will probably be able to say; "Pink" or "purple" and out outfits will be instantaneous." I was reminded by a dear soul that we would be dressed in white. I said: " a whiter shade of pale. I am sure there could be tints to the white." Crazy talk, a bit of fun. However, Jesus Himself was giving serious instruction to the church, through John in the above passage. As to whether we all dress in white, really is irrelevant. What is more importa...

Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 Do you have friends who you invite over but they don't invite back? I have. Today, to one such friend, I invited myself over after church tomorrow for lunch. This friends had said they would invite me over but never did. Rather they chose to go home each week, lunch by themself and then sleep. We can become selfish in our ways. Our God is also one who is made to wait. The above scripture comes after a rebuke to a church called Laodecia. Jesus tells this church: "you think you are rich, but you are poor. " This church had focussed on worldly wealth and judged itself successful because of what they saw. Yet Jesus saw differently. He goes on to tell them they are neither hot or cold but rather lukewarm and that it made Him want to spew them from His mouth. Yuk! Not a pleasant appraisal! How.we see ourselv...

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 HCSB As I read this I am reminded of a new freedom I have experience. It is hard to actually name it but I know it because I have it. I am learning to submit my emotions to Christ. Today I did my exam. This morning I prayed that the Lord would be kind to me and give me questions I understood. I refused to be anxious, although I had a good 30 minutes of technical problems to start with, as it was an on-line exam. I had to have someone watching me all the way from the Philippines. Finally things worked and I got to see my exam. I could not believe how good it was. It was a good exam. I finished with 30 minutes to spare, confident that I had answered to the best of my abity. After the exam I did my housework and yard work as planned. I am tired but all done. We even had a shower of rain. Refreshing. My God is indeed going before me. Amen!

For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13 Our Jesus paid a huge price to see us free. We need to honour Him by walking in the freedom He bought. On the previous part of this chapter Paul is dealing with the fact that the men are falling prey to the teaching around circumcision. Obviously those Jews belonging to the circumcision party have been in their midst. The Jews held sacred the practice of circumcision. It was held deep in their culture. They honoured the practise because this brought them close to their God. Yet now, this breakaway group called Christians were saying this venerable practice was obsolete. What sacrilege! Now, modern day church, what practices are you wanting to retain as God moves in your midst? I was raised in Catholicism. There are a lot of rituals there. It took time for me to see they were empty. Are you willing to give up your precious way...

But godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 1 Timothy 6:6‭-‬8 HCSB Contentment, what is that? Why I live for tomorrow; I live is yesteryear, never in today! Well that is not quite true. Yes I plan for tomorrow but I am happy with the days progress. I have finished another day of study and am content- I have given it my best. This time tomorrow I will be enjoying the satisfaction of a finished exam and have enjoyed mowing the grass and cleaning the house. Yes! I actually enjoy housework. I can switch off and be creative. Went to prayer again this morning and had a vision. Was not for me but for the pastor but hey! I will benefit. He is a good man. I posted my grandsons birthday card today. In it is his invitation to travel with me to Tasmania. He will go off like firecracker. I am blessed as he now plays Words with Friends with me and chats a...

But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:7‭-‬10 HCSB Paul was right. In the last days we are awash with advice on what not to eat and the exercises we should do. None of which give any time to training in godliness. Whilst I believe in eating right and staying fit, I more value my spiritual fitness as this is what has sustained me through many a dark day. Yesterday I was blessed to have a Christian in Nepal post photos I had not seen before of me ministering to lovely little people there. It brought back the love I have for these people and my ...

For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:38‭-‬39 HCSB Almost there! One more day of study and them the exam!.today was trying!.the mind gets to the point of ahhhhh! The emotions want to spit the dummy but the spirit says: "try again....nearly there! You can do it!" Just as well my spirit is born again! I have put together my next four weeks: get things in order and head off down to Tasmania for a break, a trek and time with family, just for a week then back again and to work. The plans I have made God is honouring and I am grateful. I will get to meet up with very old friends on the way home and enjoy good fellowship. Praise God! I finally made it to the prayer meeting this morning and walked into a spiritual bath. God's presence is sooo good! Toni...

And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:11 HCSB For those old enough to remember this scripture as a chorus, sing along and remember. For those who are not, create a tune. This scripture needs writing on your hearts and minds. My mortal body needs the Spirit's revival. He is good at revival. I look for Him. Amen! This chapter in Romans is so full of good food. It is like being locked in the pantry. Enjoy the feast!

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. Joshua 1:5‭-‬6 HCSB Joshua was chosen for a task and with God's choice came God's protection. Joshua was going to be used to settle God's people in the land He gave them. However, Joshua had a fight on his hands as well. The first task was an unusual one of silence and watching God move. Thereafter they had to fight. I am chosen for a task. I have people to minister to and territories to take. At times it does not appear I am winning but a bird's eye view would change that opinion. Perhaps I should mount up as an eagle and take a good look. Tiredness makes us doubt. Hard times make us doubt. The antidote, mount up and soar! Go girl!

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 HCSB Do you need to know this today? I awoke in the middle of the night with calculations going round in my head and all sorts of fear swirling around. I pulled myself into line and went fishing(for those who do not know me this is a mental picture track I go down that captures my mind and stills it. I have an imaginary trip as a child where I catch the school bus for the first time and go up the river to meet my grandfather who is camping and going to take me fishing.) I must walk the path and stay the distance. Joshua needed to know God would be with Him and God was telling him; "I will be with you, be courageous and don't be afraid." The path ahead seems difficult at times and we see wild animals and obstacles which frighten us. My God constantly tells me not to be afraid and to watch Him. I do!

So follow the way of good people, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous uprooted from it. Proverbs 2:20-22 Bad company corrupts good morals. I can attest to this. Both my children were enticed into wrong paths as teenager by bad friends. If I hang out with friends with loose morals I find it easy to compromise. Yet, if I hang out with good people, they encourage me to do good. I read a letter written by a teacher in the US after the latest shootings in Florida. She told parents straight that they were responsible for leading and guiding their kids and not leaving it to teachers. I would have gone further. I see the youth now demanding gun control. I think both are necessary, but hey I am an Aussie and we have gun control and I feel safe. What does the Lord want: Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requir...

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers. Proverbs 2:6‭-‬8 HCSB I am grateful that the Lord gives wisdom. James tells us that if we lack wisdom we only have to ask: Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5‭-‬6 I can ask for wisdom and receive by faith. If I want to understand God's wisdom I only need to read the bible and if I wonder where to read I can read Proverbs for wisdom but if I want to see it in action I can read the gospels and watch Jesus apply wisdom. There is no need to sit in foolishness when I have God's promises to give me wisdom. He ...

Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans. Psalms 37:7 HCSB Waiting before the Lord has two requirements: be quiet, stop flapping; be expectant. Our tendency is to not be quiet but rather ramble on in an agitated fashion, complain or bemoan our circumstances. However, when we are silent we can be worshipful. To help me still my mental state and my mouth, I colour in my secret garden book. Colouring in switches off the whir-click of the left hand side of the brain. As a financial planner my whir-click is well oiled. Therefore, I must disengage it and art does that for me. I paint as well. However my latest is colouring in existing art. Less mess and readily available. I am in the final count down for my exam on Saturday. Today was spent in study and note taking. As I still myself I can see the outcome, a good result. I accomplished a lot today and am satisfied with the work I h...

Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Psalms 37:5‭-‬6 HCSB This is what I must do: commit my way to the Lord, and He will act. No touching with anxiety! This is my last week of my first Uni subject. Next Saturday is my exam. The assignment is in. Now I must trust Him to bring the week together. Amen! Managing the expectations of others and the demands of work are next on the list. However I am learning not to be bullied by the demands of others or my circumstances. I like it when God acts. He is good to watch! His ways are perfect! Amen!

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Psalms 23:1‭-‬3 HCSB There is nothing I lack. This is a matter of perspective. I can subjectively reckon I have need for relationships or possession yet He promises to give me all I need as I keep my eyes on Him. He lets me lie down in green pastures. At present we are in drought. Yet even in drought God's green places are to be found. I cannot be so controlling that I insist it is as I determine. What does He see? He leads me beside quiet waters, as in a lake or perhaps a bubbling brook. Again in drought where are these? Are they literal or spiritual? He renews my life. Those that wait upon the Lord renew their strength. My strength is in Him. He leads me on the right path. I don't need to concern myself with what that path looks like. He knows and will lead, if I let Him...

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 HCSB In Proverbs we see: spare the rod and spoil the child. So what is a rod? A stick perhaps. We know that the staff is the shepherds crook, not being a shepherd, I can only imagine. We see images of shepherds with a long stick and a hook on the end. I imagine this would be a good tool for rescuing sheep. The unusual thing about this verse is the sheep find comfort in a good shepherd who leads them well and uses his tools of trade to guide and defend them. The Lord is my shepherd. He lead me. Therefore I can imagine He leads me through the darkest valleys, on the way to good pasture. He is good after all. I have to trust Him to keep me and protect me from the enemy of my soul. Many are the trials of the righteous but He delivers them out of them all. Psalm 34:19 Storms and trials can make us scurry. Why not stand and allow God to defend ...

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. James 3:1‭-‬2 HCSB Should we include politicians in this? We seem to expect the same level of integrity from them. However, many do not know Christ and although they strut and spruike about their achievements, behind closed doors they can be morally corrupt. We have our current governing body being dragged through the mud, again, because of bad behaviour of their members. Whilst the media are also mutilating the church they are not slacking on the politicians. Even if our leaders fail we must stay true to the one who has called us! As ultimately it is before Him we stand. Amen!

Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. James 3:13‭-‬15 HCSB Our words can be dangerous. Jesus had the most difficulty with the Pharisees. It appear His brother James is addressing the same spirit in the Christian church. The Pharisees thought they were the best because they kept the law. Christian teachers can likewise become puffed up thinking they are walking right but carry judgement in their hearts and angry resentment. It is not just teachers, but all Christians can fall prey to this. Yesterday I had to address offense in an 8 year old boy. He was jealous of his brother and it turned to offense. We older folk are the same. What causes us to be offended? Usually pride or jealousy. We can be secretly proud in our ability or achievem...

Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord ; I come to You for protection. Psalms 143:8‭-‬9 HCSB Sometimes our enemies are those close to us who struggle in their own predicaments and then push us away. I have someone like that. The problem is theirs but I must be cautious because wounded people are like wounded animals, they strike out at others. I think that many who kill others are so upset within, they lash out and destroy. This does not excuse them but helps me understand them. Tomorrow I go home. I am fortunate that I was able to complete my assignment for Uni. Now to study for the exam next weekend. I am grateful that my God never lashes out and is very complete within Himself. How good is that! Amen! I am also so grateful for time with my grandchildren. Today, being tired, I went and had a coffee. I sat next to another woman in her 60s. We got talkin...

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalms 143:10 HCSB Level ground speaks of stability. Unfortunately when we ask God to teach us to do His will, level ground often disappears for a time. There is a saying: you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Learning to walk in Godly paths see us in places that will test us to show us what is inside to start with. Then God says:" ok now you know what happens when you do things your way, now let me show you my way!" God's way is peaceful even when storms rage. Let Him control the ship. Amen!

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9‭-‬11 HCSB This morning I confronted autism. What a fight! I refused to be bullied by it. My grandson struggled with the confrontation, probably as much as I had struggled with allowing it to rule. Tonight he was a changed boy. It reared its head once and I told it where to go, it went. I had a good day after that. I finished an assignment, almost, and spent time with my eldest grandson Myer. He is now in high school and is being home schooled. We discussed the latest shootings in America and he said he was glad he was home schooled. He is fun to hang out with. We went to the library to work for a time, bought a huge bag of dog food and came home. I enjoyed educ...

I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 HCSB God is not a quitter, what He starts He completes. The good work is the outworking of salvation. We must be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, made into the image of the Son. This is the good work. We can do all things through Christ who loves us. He is our beginning and end. He is our strength and song. He is our strong tower. We can be confident in Him, we ourselves may stumble and fall but He works to bring us from strength to strength. Amen!

And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 HCSB Without Love, a sacrifice, no matter how great, is not worth anything as it must compare to the sacrifice Christ made for us. His was done in love, 'for the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross.' The joy spoken of here was the joy of us having a relationship with Him. He is good and His love is better than best! Amen! This is the love He imparts to us and the love we are endowed with so that we can in turn love others. Nothing I can do, no matter how noble is worth anything in eternity, unless it is soaked in His love! Today as the world celebrates Valentine's Day, nothing can comparing to His everlasting love. Amen!

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 HCSB Faith is what we do to appropriate all God has for us; hope holds all we look forward to and love is the method in which we apply all. If I have faith to move mountains but do not have love in the process, I am a noisy gong or a sounding cymbal, in others words, I am just noise; if I have a heart full of hope for the future but bear malice in my heart towards individuals, then I fool myself. Love is the application, the magic ingredient that makes the others really work. Love believes all things, hopes all things, love endures long, love overcomes hurdles, love never fails. The love I speak about here is God's agape love. To know what that looks like we look at Jesus in the gospels. He is love! If our love fails, it is not agape. In Christian life we need this kind of love to hold us together. Amen!

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 HCSB Well...what a day! What started out no different from yesterday turned on its head. I had a message from my son to say his wife was in hospital and he asked if he flew me up to Brisbane (an 8 hour drive away) would I come and help out. After a little thought I said yes and was on a plane within the hour. As usual I was thrown in the deep end. I was collected only to be put in the driver seat and told " now go and collect the children from school and take them home, I'm going to work!" I had to shake out cobwebs straight away. I successfully collected the kids and went home. We had a good afternoon, after a rough beginning. My Autistic grandson was not having his older brother boss him around. The older brother very much wants things done the right way (his way of course). The funniest part was watching my 5 year old grandson do ...

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 HCSB If I was a Christian caught in Syria at present, watching my world bombed apart, perhaps I would struggle to believe this. My current journey has gone on for 14 years amd has not been easy. Lonliness still dogs me at times and I still wonder at my God wanting me to walk as a single woman. Yet He has strengthened me and made a warrior out of me. I know I can be trusted in a fight. On Sunday I was talking to a lady who had been given a new job, that of a cook in a nursing home. She was struggling to believe God would want her there, she had a routine that could not vary and a lot of cranky, fussy patients who told her so. We talked and I shared a little of my walk with her. She realised she was making the problem bigger than it was. I explained it was all emotional, and it was. It is our emotional reaction to a set of circumstances that has us...

For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do — first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself. Hebrews 7:26‭-‬27 HCSB Jesus does not have to repeat His unblemished performance when He died on the cross and rose again, making way for us who come to Him in faith. I do not need to work for my salvation but accept it in faith. I have it and no-one can take it away. I may fall and live like I had before I accepted Christ but if I see my sin, turn again in repentance forgiveness is mine and I am restored. Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son for such a reason. He shows the love of the Father and the willingness to forgive and restore. I must accept this and believe. Amen

Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 HCSB The fact that Jesus, having done the work of the cross is not sitting back and leaving our walk to us alone is comforting. Jesus is our High Priest who makes intercession for us. I am comforted that in my life my Jesus is still praying for me. This fact beggars believing. How fantastic is this! The whole of this chapter in Hebrews is like an exegetical interpretation of the nature of Melchizedek, the eternal high priest whom Abraham met on his return from a war and whom he gave a tenth of his spoils to, and who also appears to be Christ making a visit to men. As Melchizedek was a far superior High priest, Jesus is a far superior priest as not only did He give His life as a ransom for us, He sits making intercession for us. What other earthly priest has done this for us? None perfect and without sin. We can trust Him. He said to the thief on th...

Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered. Psalms 130:3,4 This Psalmist knew something, He knew forgiveness. Knowing that the God of the Old Testament was a God of forgiveness requires a revelation. People in the Old Testament knew law and performance, not grace, unless they were David. David knew God's grace. For us in the New Testament we know about grace, but struggle unless we too have a revelation of God's forgiveness. Walking in His forgiveness is heaven on earth. It is worth seeking Him for that revelation or we may continually struggle with a load that is not ours to carry, unaware there is grace that lifts us up and strengthens us anew. Seek Him and you will find Him! Amen!

I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning — more than watchmen for the morning. Psalms 130:5‭-‬6 HCSB As we are praying and fasting as a church at present there are certain burdens that I carry and one is for my family to be made whole in Him. Salvation belongs to our God and He is the best saviour I know. I have been praying for years and now it has intensified. Yesterday I caught some of a Todd White service, courtesy of Daniel Kolenda. The Spirit of God is moving. Here is Australia, this month, most Christian churches are praying and fasting. We are seeking God for an outpouring of His Spirit and souls. I wait for God to move as He has the best moves. No amount of argument and talking will win the soul, however when He shows up things change. Let's seek Him with ALL our hearts and see our nations change. Amen!

For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4‭-‬6 HCSB As I am in business I understand a business plan. A plan is what you work towards to happen. Before God created the world, He had us in mind. A people who would be His, holy and blameless before Him. The first Adam failed but the second Adam not only walked blameless before the Father but carried within Him the plan for many sons to be made blameless. When a couple plan a birth of a baby, love is involved. When God planned His people love was involved. He is a Father who wants a multitude of children to enjoy. He receives praise and glory as we become children of God. We all cry "Abba Father!" What a family!

We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7‭-‬8 HCSB We are redeemed by the blood of the lamb. In the Old Testament many sheep had to be continually sacrificed for sin, it was called a sin offering. However, the sin was never completely gone, we had a sin nature. When we accept Christ as the redeemer, the ultimate price for our sins, He became the perfect sacrifice for us and we were given a new nature- a child of God. Jesus.paid the perfect price, the once and for all price. He satisfied heaven's requirement once and for all. There is nothing I can do that will make me whiter than snow, when I am given that gift by Christ. Regardless of how I feel, or what I do, I can access that provision instantaneously. I am free from sin and can choose to live that way or allow guilt and shame to hound me. The truth is: I have been set free a...

So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7 HCSB How safe am I as I trust my Lord to be the point of entry into eternal life. He is to be trusted. He also said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. I don't need to follow a guru or read star charts to discover who I am and what my life is about. I am on the ride of my life with the creator of the universe. What an exciting concept: Jesus, the Son of God is the door to eternity. Imagine entering through Him, how does it work? By faith. Take a leap and see. I once watched a movie called Kate and Leopold in which a scientist worked out that there was a hole in time on a certain day and in a certain place. To get there he had to climb up on a prominent bridge and jump into space and instead of falling into the water he landed in a time, a hundred years prior. It was quite an exciting story none the less. He ended up bringing back a man from that time who struggled to be in our time. The step into...

A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. John 10:10 HCSB The third condemns, manipulates, controls. Jesus doesn't do any of these. His comviction is gentle, leading to life. If you are suffering mental anguish for things done, this is not Christ, it is either yourself or the thief. I remember the night God showed me my sin, it lead me to repentance and a relationship with Him. Yet I also know.the work of the enemy. If I am awaken in the night and troubled by thought that I should have done this or that better and judging and second guessing, I cannot blame God for this. The only reason God shows us a matter is to lead us to repentance not to brow beat us with condemnation. We must be wary of condemning thoughts and not submit to them, rebuke them. Amen!

Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it. Hebrews 4:1 HCSB We can read the above, hear messages about rest but not have it. Why? Perhaps we don't think it is possible. Perhaps we are busy, real busy and can't see how. Well, I think Jesus was busy, real busy but He found time, probably because He made the time. I am being challenged by this lately. I am busy, real busy with study and work and am tired, real tired. I am reminded of the time the apostles had been out ministering and returned and Jesus planned some R & R for them. They actually escaped and went off in a boat, but the crowd ran after them and were there waiting on the other side. Jesus didn't say: "Sorry folks we are tired!" He actually turned to the disciples and expected them to get involved with ministering to the crowd. So, now the disciples were tired and hungry but having to feed the multitude, again. We could imagine they wer...

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. Hebrews 4:12‭-‬13 HCSB The first 11 verses before this deals with entering into God's rest from striving, through Jesus. Jesus was the giver of rest. He talked of placing His yoke upon us and that it was a yoke of rest. He said: "come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls. " Matthew 11:28. How do we enter God's rest? The above passage tells us:.read the word and find Jesus there for as we read the word of God it shines a light in our souls and shows us the truth. God's truth is a healing truth. It reveals our heart in its light and shows us our sin. Repentance brings us back to H...

And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29 HCSB When others fail to notice our sacrifices we think God has forgotten also, but He hasn't. We expect a reward on earth, perhaps out reward is in eternity. The apostle Paul had a hard life all of the time He walked with Christ. He was beaten, stoned to death and flogged several times, he was shipwrecked several times yet he did not lose hope or complain. He ended his days in prison waiting for his execution, no rosey story there. However, he left a legacy and several churches that would carry the gospel to unreached places. He left us the epistles, such good teaching! He did not waver! We complain because we want comfort. Comfort is not always available. Some of us will die in jail, some will lose our lives for our faith. Let us not rot on the ground having never sown a seed! Let us give o...

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 HCSB Jesus said the above passage after having said: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:23‭-‬24 HCSB The disciples were dumb struck when Jesus said it would be hard for the rich to enter in to eternal life, they had said: "well then who can be saved?" Why did they say that? We're they rich themselves or had friends or family who were. At the end of the chapter Jesus is telling the disciples that they would sit with Him in heaven on 12 thrones judging. He was assuring them that they would make it. It is interesting that Judas was still there at this point. In other words, Jesus had included Him, his own actions excluded him. Ea...

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve — because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin — 1 Peter 4:1 HCSB Christ's suffering was extreme. When He knew the time was near He prayed with intensity, so intense was His prayer He sweated drops of blood. Yet He obeyed His Father and we benefit. If we suffer, who will benefit? If we choose to follow the way of the cross, what will that cost? Perhaps a few meals, perhaps a lot more. Yet we have comfort in knowing our Lord went before us. He was obedient to death. Our death, ultimate death, will be inevitable but for now we can put to death our freshly desires and yield them to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. As the above scripture says it: the one who suffers in the flesh has finished with sin. Lay it down, come to the cross and see God move! May His kingdom come! His will be done! Amen!

But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 1 Peter 4:16 HCSB Peter the apostle writes with understanding. His country is under foreign occupation by an unbelieving heathen crowd. The Romans were brutal, they used crucifixion to punish along with flogging for breaking dissenters. I went to see 'Darkest Hour' a week ago. It involved Hitler's invasion of Europe and threatened invasion of England. Winston Churchill was under pressure to 'do a deal with Hitler.' Everything within Winston cringed at the thought. So Winston went to the people and they agreed, 'never surrender.' Christians are having their churches destroyed in China, their lives threatened by Muslims in Asia and the Middle East. Our sufferings are small in comparison. Our threat comes from within our own boarders. All that was sacred is being trampled on. Christians are vilified for standing for truth. So, now it is time to ...

You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records? Psalms 56:8 HCSB The Lord is unlike no other king, He does not delegate the recording of our wanderings, He Himself is bothered enough to record them Himself. As any dotimg Father would, He does. He probably has computer banks full of His videos of our wanderings. As a grandmother I have a phone full of photos and videos. They are cherished memories to me. He is no different. Today I struggled all day to study and my mind was tired. I did all sorts of things to help stay awake. Diversion therapy was maxed out today. I made it! Only one more online lecture and then exams and assignment. Yay! I am sure the Lord was grinning with delighted interest in all my ways. Tonight I was rewarded with 4 delightful little people bringing me flowers. What a lovely surprise! I am blessed!

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalms 56:3‭-‬4 HCSB Recently I was thinking about the day David killed Goliath and wondered if he was a little afraid, He did not appear to be so as his language was all GO! Then I thought about myself. Each time I have a victory I rejoice but each new Goliath makes me a little afraid, unless the conquest is anointed and I am endowed with the Spirit of Faith. I have had both and I know which I prefer, but so many are ordinary and me slogging it out with the goliath believing I will conquer. Here in the Psalm we see David speak of fear. He was in fear for His life as he was constantly chased by King Saul. This Psalm was, however, about being seized by the Philistines in Gath. David had killed their man Goliath, I could imagine they would not like Him for that. God leads us to do many things in boldness, however mankind carries memory and not all is good o...

When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here? ” Jesus answered, “I assure you: You are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal of approval on Him.” John 6:25‭-‬27 HCSB Jesus had just fed the multitude and when they could not find Him on the side of the sea He had been on they went looking. Now Jesus knew they wanted to make Him king but now confronts them with their real motive. Their motive was their flesh. He confronts in a loving way, to bring them to the truth. Have you had God confront you lately? He is good, gentle and kind. Yet the truth He carries is unending. You cannot manipulate Him, like these folks were trying to do. Our church starts its prayer and fasting tomorrow and we are in for a good 3 weeks of ...

Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. John 6:37 HCSB I am grateful that the Father gave me to Jesus. I still remember the struggle I went through leading up to salvation. However, it was worth it when we finally connected. I have been His since that time. There have been many upheavals and disasters but many good times and for all I am grateful because through it all I have come to know Him more. I think the biggest challenge is to continue to believe He loves us, especially if we are prone to perfectionism. When I fail, which is often, I have to remind myself He is still in charge and He loves me still. Humans fall out of love, He doesn't. In the verse above Jesus is saying He will never cast us out. We have an enemy who would cast us adrift from our saviour so He could destroy us. He lies and condemns us. Jesus faithfully stays close and whispers: "I love you, look at me"!

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35 HCSB Nothing can take us out of the Lord's hands, unless we allow it and become involved with the enemies images. We must be so careful with what we say. " God be for me, who can be against me!" Is much better than: " I don't understand wy God is letting me feel this". One is victim speak, the other victor speak. Small difference in name, large difference in position. Let's confess God's word and not our feelings! Amen! I did my exam today and was so tense it took hours to unwind. I settled for housework, mowing the lawn and reading a book. Good move!

For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “ Abba , Father! ” The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, Romans 8:7‭, ‬12‭-‬16 HCSB What is living in the flesh? We can look at what Jesus said: “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, ther...

Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always. Psalms 105:4 HCSB Right now I need the Lord's strength. It has been a long day with much of it sitting at the airport waiting for my mother's plane to be made ready. After a long wait we were told it was not going to fly. We came home, had lunch and I studied until we needed to return. This time we were successful. I returned home to study and did so for several hours then running out of steam. I took a break:had dinner, walked the dog and back to it. However, calculations are wearing me out. I am tired. My dog just started barking and I went out to see the best sunset. What glory! Whilst walking today I spent time with the neighbours chatting. I love my neighbours. How blessed am I! The little children love me dog and He loves them. I think they are special as well. My God is my strength and song, Him I can rely on!

Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell about all His wonderful works! Honor His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always. Psalms 105:1‭-‬4 HCSB Give thanks Call on His name Proclaim His Deeds Sing praises to Him Honour Him Rejoice in Him Search for Him Seek his face always Above is the recipe for a good Christian life. Sounds like a relationship doesn't it? Jesus said: "love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind". The above is what that looks like. If we want to know what that looks like we need to study Jesus in the gospels. He shows us how. Loving God first is quiet, faithful and consistent, giving Him time, making space for Him. Amen! The results is the life He portrayed.

God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns. Psalms 46:5 HCSB I claim this! I claim God's protection and blessing! I have had a blessed day! For the longest time I have wanted a concrete slab so that I can erect a garden shed. Today it happened. I went out to go walking and the men doing a driveway a few doors up said they would concrete my slab today. I had asked several weeks ago and thought they had forgotten. Previously I had waited 2 years for people across the street to do their driveway so that I could also have my slab done. Someone else took my concrete. So I had to wait again. As a woman who does not have a trailer, I must rely on men to help and they are not always available to help. I looked up sheds on the web and have found one for $200 less than one locally. Now I will have to organise men to help erect a shed. Ho hum! Such is the life of a single woman! Today I had another win. My eldest grandson is allowed to come on...

“Stop your fighting — and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” Psalms 46:10 HCSB James tells us why we fight: What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. James 4:1‭-‬3 HCSB However, if we want a solution we need to listen to Jesus: “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43‭-‬45 HCSB We cannot love unless we abide in Christ. Only in Him is forgiveness, patie...